Static IP Address Can't Connect To Internet, Only Router (XP)

This should be easy enough. I just need the instructions on how to set the IP address on a computer that has a static address of 169.254.x.x. I know I can get into the network connections and set it to a different address and set the DNS address. Please tell me the steps and possible addresses I can use that will enable it to connect wirelessly. I know the Netgear adapter is working. It does connect to the router. We are using the correct password or it wouldn't get that far. I just want to be sure I set the DNS correctly. I should be able to use 192.168.7.1 for the IP on the computer but not sure of the DNS settings. Thank you!

It should connect as the last tenant was able to connect wirelessly just using security code. The computer I am working on was using dialup just recently. Yet that should not affect the wireless adapter? I know I may have to access landlords router. But would be nice just to set IP address on computer and have it connect.

The wireless router is a Linksys wrt? I think. I know it is linksys brand. It is the flat black design. The password is correct. It does connect to the router just can't get through to the internet. The research so far I have done is telling me the computer has a static address and for that reason cannot/will not connect to the internet. I have to manually assign the IP and DNS addresses. I will be asking about the landlord and if he can reset the router. In the mean time it would be good to know this answer.

UM, a 169.254 address is not a static-been said several times already. Lots of people use MAC filtering, which would block you, I've had clients that would connect with an invalid key and show connected even though it was wrong-just wouldn't get an address.

What do you mean by "asking about the landlord and if he can reset the router"? Is this your router, or are you connecting through a router owned by (and controlled by) someone else?

If you are working with someone else's router, ask if they can configure the router as a DHCP server, and as a DNS server. If so, configure your computer to get its IP address and DNS address from the router.

Most routers also have several features that affect access to the "other side" - in your case, the Internet. You need to know if the router is configured with any IP exclusions (which block specific devices, such as your computer). You need to know if Network Address Translation (NAT) is enabled. You need to know if the router is configured to allow the Internet protocols.

as a DNS you can set any internet DNS server you know f.e. google dns server is
8.8.8.8
Your static address should be in the same network as your router internal
address: f.e. if your router is 192.168.7.1/24 your address could be
192.168.7.2/24
your gateway should be your router address, and dns might be as above

- First you need to find out what IP address the NetGear adapter is using.
Usually a wireless router will use 192.168.1.1 for itself. This means
logging onto the NetGear and finding the IP range it is broadcasting. You
should NOT use the IP address the NetGear is using. Make sure that the
NetGear is set to give out IP addresses using DHCP. To do this you will
probably have to connect to the NetGear using an ethernet cable. Use a
browser and try 192.168.7.1 to connect if this doesn't work change the
third number to 0 then to 1, etc. until you get a screen that lets you set
up the NetGear.

- On the laptop or any PC you want to connect find the network adapter icon
on the menu bar at the bottom of the screen and right click on it.
Open the "Network and Sharing Center"
- In the Network and Sharing Center click on the "Local Area Connection" or
the "Wireless connection" This will bring up a "Connection Status Window"
- In the Connection Status Window click on the button that says properties.
This will bring up a "Connection Properties Window"
- In the Connection Properties Window highlight the line that says
"Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) and click on the "Properties"
button. This will start yet another window.
- In the "Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) Properties window the best
way, especially for laptops connecting wirelessly is to click on the round
choice button that says "Obtain an IP address automatically" Down below
click on the button that says "Obtain DNS server address automatically" and
click on the OK button at the bottom of the window.
- Click on "Close" buttons on the other windows until you are fully out.
- To check and see if it worked; right click on the start button and choose
"Run" from the menu. Type cmd into the box in the window. A black window
will pop up.
- In the window type ipconfig and hit return. The output should be
something like:
Connection-specific DNS Suffix. : (your ISP internet address)
IPv4 Address .......................... : 192.168.7.5
Subnet Mask .......................... : 255.255.255.0
Default Gateway ..................... : 192.168.7.1 (This assumes the
NetGear is set up to the IP address range 192.168.7.1 ri 192,168,7 254)

There may be a lot of other things but this is the important part. If you
have something that doesn't match the NetGear internal IP address range
then something else is wrong. Perhaps the NetGear is not serving as a DHCP
server.

For security's sake please make sure the NetGear serving the wireless is
using WPA2 security. You will need to use the security key to connect
wirelessly with a laptop or other PC.

Thank you hamp47 & piosk. You have confirmed what I was thinking to begin with. The client is downstairs from their landlord. Landlord has wireless SSID and has given password to client. The wireless adapter is working. What I do know from setting up networks in the past (I have done several) is that I or the landlord will need to access the router itself to fix this connection problem. The issue is the router not the computer. I thought it would be good to know how to correctly set the IP address manually. Surely the much easier and better way is to reset the router for correct connections to happen. I will post the solution when I am able to get back to the client. Thank you all!

The Landlord may unplug or turn off power that runs to the router. When your client boots their machine the 169.254 is a self assigned IP that every machine assigns itself if it doesn't detect DHCP. If it continues have the client turn off their machine completely, don't just reboot, Network may not release the 169.254 do a complete shutdown for 30-45 seconds.

I saw you had it under control, just wanted to share what I have run into.

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